THE seven-strong judging panel for the 1999 Daily Echo Hampshire business Awards has spent an afternoon deciding the six finalists in this year's competition.

Among the criteria for the KPMG Company of the Year was good financial performance, excellence in products or services, identification and exploitation of new markets, staff training and motivation and commitment to environmental protection and contribution to the community.

Contenders for the Bond Pearce Business Innovation Award had to show excellence and innovation, details of an R&D strategy, proof that the entry had been identified to meet the needs of target markets and evidence of commercial success or clearly identified potential for the future.

The finalists will attend a gala awards dinner at Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey, on Thursday July 1 when the winners will be announced.

The dinner is being hosted by BBC TV South Today presenter Andrew Harvey.

All shortlisted companies are currently being contacted before the finalists are unveiled.

The judges were: KPMG South Coast senior partner Tony Cottam; Bond Pearce partner David d'Arcy Hughes; Daily Echo regional business editor Michael Ford; Dr Don Fox, director of innovation and research support at Southampton University and chief executive of the Chilworth Research Centre; Colin Gordon, chief executive of Kenwood; Clive Moody, local director of venture capitalists 3i; and Brian Gay, non-executive director of several hi-tech companies, and previously managing director of Vero Group, a former KPMG Company of the Year.

Twelve companies had been shortlisted for the KPMG Company of the Year - Point Source, Alexander Francis, Cerberus Software, Eastleigh Housing Association, Sotel, First Drinks Brands, Sandy Balls Estate, Eurotel Telecom, Southampton International Airport, R&M Electrical Export, Home James Travel and Jayhard.

Bond Pearce shortlisted five companies for the Business Innovation Award: Yeoman Group, Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust, Southern Vectis, Roke Manor Research and JenAct.

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